Level.



No. 866,541. PATENTED SEPT. 17, 1907. w; G. WAGNER.

LEVEL.

APPLICATION rum) 11:10.29. 1906.

w; means WILLIAM G. WAGNER, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

LEVEL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 17, 1907.

Application filed December 29,1906. Serial No. 350,071.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, WILLIAM G. WAGNER, a citizen of the United States, residing at St. Louis, in the county of St. Louis City and State of Missouri, have invented new and useful Improvements in Levels, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to an improvement in levels of that type in which the spirit bulb is adjustable to vary its angular relation to the gaging edge of the level stock.

The main object of the invention is the production of simple means for effecting the adjustment of the spirit bulb, the construction providing for maintaining the bulb in adjusted position without regard to any rough usage to which the instrument may be subjected.

The invention will be described in detail in the following specification, reference being had particularly to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a face view of a level constructed in accordance with my invention, Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of the bulb and bulb-adjusting means, Fig. 3 is a similar view partly sectioned, Fig. 4 is a section on line 44 of Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawings, my improved level comprises a stock 1, which, so far as the purposes of the present invention are concerned, may be of any size or of any material. The stock is formed with a circular depression 2 in which is fitted an annular strip or band formed on the inner surface with a laterally projecting flange 4 contiguous the inner periphery of the band,

' the flange abutting against the wall of the depression,

and the band seating in a recess surrounding the depression. The relatively inner end of the flange is extended laterally, as at 5, and formed with a series of teeth 6, the latter preferably extending but half the circumferential area of the flange, as shown. A dial plate 7 is movably mounted within the flange 4 resting against the lateral extension 5, as sh own in Fig. 4. The face of the dial is graduated, as at 8, on the peripheral edge, and the band 3 is provided with fixed marks 9, to determine the particular angular set of the spirit level, as will presently appear. The dial plate is formed with a central opening 10, and on the rear surface of the dial plate in diametrically opposed relation as respects the 7 opening 10 is arranged the bulb-carrying holders 11 and 12. The holder ll'is of cylindrical shape and contains a lining 13 ofrubber to snugly receive the end of the spirit bulb 14, the holder 12 being also cylindrical with a rubber lining 15, the latter holder having a laterally extending lip 16 by which the holder is secured to the dial. The bulb 14 which is of the usual type is thus embedded in rubber fittings, whereby injury to the bulb is prevented.

The plates 17 are secured at diametrically opposite points to the inner surface of the dial, and overlie and bear on the inner surface of the portion 5 of the flange, thus securing the dial against movement away from the flange while not interfering with its free revoluble movement.

Secured upon the inner surface of the dial is a housing 18 within which is mounted a pinion 19 so arranged that its teeth are at all times in mesh with the teeth 6 of the band 3, the pivot of the pinion being in the form of a screw 20, with its head seated in the face of the dial, whereby it is accessible for operation.

In use with the bulb 14 arranged in parallel relation to one side of the stock 1, the device is serviceable as an ordinary level, as will be evident. If it is desired to arrange the bulb at any particular angle with relation to the gaging edge of the stock, the screw 20 is turned, revolving the pinion, and through engagement of the latter with the teeth 6, the dial plate 7 with the attached spirit bulb is turned until the desired gradua tion on the dial registers with the main line on the band 3. The spirit bulb may thus be readily and conveniently set at any desired angle, giving the tool an immense variety of uses which are absolutely impossible with the ordinary level.

The parts are few in number and so constructed and arranged as to permit convenient renewal or adjustment with a minimum of labor or time.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new, is:

1. A level comprising a stock formed with a depression, a band fitting in said depression and formed with a right angular projecting flange having a lateral extension at its inner end, the edge of said extension being formed with a series of teeth, a dial plate revolubly mounted within the band and bearing against the lateral extension of the flange, a spirit bulb carried by the dial, and means carried by the dial to engage the teeth on the band, said means being operable to revolve the dial.

2. A level comprising a stock formed with a depression, a band fitting in said depression and formed with a right angular projecting flange having a lateral extension at its inner end, the edge of said extension being formed with a series of teeth, a dial plate revolubly mounted within the band and bearing against the lateral extension of the flange, a spirit bulb carried by the dial, and a pinion carried by the dial and engaging the teeth on the band, said pinion being operable to revolve the dial.

3. A level comprising a stock formed with a depression, a band fitting in said depression and formed with a series of teeth, a dial plate revolubly mounted within the band, rubber casings fixed to the rear surface of the dials, a spirit bulb carried by the dial and embedded, in the rubber casings, one of said casings having a laterally extending lip to adapt the casing for removable connection with the dial plate.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM G. WAGNER.

Witnesses:

LownLL M. CARSON, JOHN A. Ronnn'rson. 

